Even a Fuel-Efficient Car Can Do Better
So you’re the proud new owner of a Honda Civic EX Sedan (42 mpg highway; 32 mpg city). Or even more impressive, maybe you own a BMW X5 xDrive40e PHEV (56 mpge or miles per gallon equivalent, for electric vehicles).
You are now the epitome of fuel efficiency.
Not so fast. You can still be fuel inefficient in a fuel-efficient vehicle.
We’ll explore three ways your behavior can boost your mpg, and how counterproductive behaving badly can be, from affecting your car’s future to impacting your car insurance. You don’t want to put yourself in the position of asking: “Do you have to tell your insurance company about points?”
Top Three Fuel Efficiency Boosters
There are a lot of fuel economy myths out there. Here are tips that can help.
#1 – Keep Your Rage Off the Road
Specifics: Want to benefit your fuel economy by 20 to 50 percent? Be a low-impact driver, which includes driving responsibly.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), data tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System notes aggressive driving played a role in 56 percent of fatal crashes from 2003 and 2007, with excessive speed being the No. 1 factor.
Speeding was also the leading driving behavior associated with fatal crashes in 2018 (nearly 17 percent).
Repercussions for insurance: If you’re caught and found guilty of aggressive driving, this chargeable violation is considered a surcharge on your policy.
These are average increases:
- Failure to yield: 9 percent
- Following too close: 13 percent
- Improper turn: 14 percent
- Careless driving: 16 percent
- Reckless driving: 22 percent
The surcharge for a minor infraction will be part of your rate for three years. For a major infraction, such as reckless driving, most states allow insurers to charge an increase for seven to 10 years.
For speeding, one ticket can bum up your rate by 30 percent. Two tickets? By up to 50 percent.
If you get a speeding ticket out-of-state, insurance companies invoke the same rate increase as a speeding ticket in-state.
The takeaway: Don’t give in to road rage.
- Plan for plenty of time on the road to account for traffic congestion and delays
- Relax your grip on the wheel, tune into relaxing music
- Don’t take traffic or aggressive drivers personally
- Avoid engagement with a bad driver
#2 – Give Your Tires TLC
Specifics: Tires with improper tread, inflation and alignment can lower fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance.
Worn tread decreases traction and your control of your car. Improper tire pressure can also affect your car’s handling and braking. And misalignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly.
Repercussions for insurance: If neglecting your tires causes you to have an accident, that could cause you to pay more for insurance, on average an increase of $137 a month.
If you happen to have accident forgiveness, that only applies to your first accident. Expect your insurance rate to increase significantly if you’ve been in multiple accidents or have a combination of traffic tickets and accidents over a period of three years.
The takeaway: Keep your tires in good condition. Check your tire tread monthly. It should be at least an eighth of an inch.
Check tire pressure monthly too, and before any long trip.
Have your tires rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and have tire alignment done at the most once a year.
#3 – Crack Open Your Owner’s Manual
Specifics: Most people don’t refer to their car’s owner’s manual. But if you heed the service schedules listed and keep your vehicle up to date, you won’t use as much fuel.
A poorly tuned engine burns more fuel. And brake drag can make your engine work harder.
In addition to learning the PSI level to maintain your tires, you also have easy access to knowledge about when to change your battery, what size and brand to get and how to check and replace fluids.
Repercussions for insurance: Knowing how to properly operate and maintain your car means you’ll have less chance of accidents from breakdowns and driver error, translating to a lower risk of filing an insurance claim for repairs and incurring a rate increase.
It’s also in your best interest to keep all of your car’s maintenance records to help prove the condition of your vehicle. If your car is totaled, it’s up to your insurance company to determine its value.
The takeaway: Get acquainted with your owner’s manual. It can guide you to a properly working car to help you optimize efficiency.
We hope we’ve helped you be well on your way to being an energy efficiency master.
